Mathieu Flamini set the league leaders on the path to victory with just eight minutes gone at San Siro when he collected a pass from Robinho, sped into the area and buried the ball past Emiliano Viviano at the second attempt. A late red card for Francesco Della Rocca dented Bologna's chances of conjuring a late leveller, and that means Milan now stand eight points clear of FC Internazionale Milano with a superior head-to-head record and three games remaining.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Udinese Calcio's hopes of sealing a UEFA Champions League place were dealt a blow by their 5-2 loss at ACF Fiorentina. The Zebrette lie sixth, a point behind S.S. Lazio in fourth having played one game more. At the other end of the table, UC Sampdoria collected what could prove a vital point courtesy of Daniele Mannini's added-time equaliser in a 3-3 draw against second-bottom Brescia Calcio, that goal keeping the hosts a point clear of the danger zone.

Calcio Catania climbed five points clear of the bottom three by downing Cagliari Calcio 2-0, meanwhile, and there were similarly comforting home successes for Parma FC and AC Chievo Verona, 3-1 against US Città di Palermo and 1-0 against US Lecce respectively. Aleandro Rosi struck a 95th-minute winner as nine-man AS Roma moved fifth with a 3-2 success at relegated AS Bari.

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